A report card by a conservative think tank is giving the University of Maine System failing grades in four out of five areas.
The report was conducted by The Maine Heritage Policy Center and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.
It found that, overall, the seven-campus system has low graduation rates, high tuition, weak core curriculums and few accomplishments by the board of trustees to improve academics.
The study examined a variety of sources, including class requirements, a student survey and minutes from board of trustees meetings.
In the end the report says the UMaine system is failing students and taxpayers, but strong leadership can turn those grades around.
Michael Poliakoff with the American Council of Trustees and Alumni says, “Remedy to these issues will involve everyone, including the faculty. They’re not easy but they are things that have to be done and they can be solved. This, afterall, is a university system that’s been distinguished for inventiveness and achievement.”
Chancellor Richard Pattenaude says the UMaine system has been working on a number of issues outlined in the report.
He points out a current initiative that’s focusing on keeping education affordable and cutting system costs.
Pattenaude says trustees will also continue to study the report.
Michael B. Poliakoff, Ph.D., President of American Council of Trustees and Alumni, joins Yahoo Finance to discuss the rising higher education costs impairing student diversity and raising student debt levels.
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